lunes, 26 de mayo de 2008

Recently received a copy of “Sinkronos” by courtesy of Viajero Inmovil Records and even when I’m busy with other issues, I felt the urge to review the album, due to the fresh and innovative approach, that marks a new stage in HYACINTUS career.Usually the band presents a traditional 70’s Symphonic approach, but in this case they also explore the Rock oriented side of the band, with blend of different Classical eras, adding wonderful guitar fantasies and very well developed choral works, which make of “Sinkronos” a very interesting project for those of us who believe that Progressive Rock bands should re-invent themselves but showing respect for their roots.For what I read, “Sinkronos” is a conceptual album about a being who is sent to earth to fulfill a mission, but when he reaches or planet, the environment, family, friends and real life makes him forget the reason of his existence. It’s divided in three trilogies plus a short epilog.The album is starts with “Mission Dada”, a track that starts with a clear Blues approach and a very interesting guitar work, but still you can feel the Symphonic structure floating all around, some vocal effects complete the oneiric atmosphere, very solid opener.“Hipno Délfico” is a return to the symphonic roots of the band, the majestic chorus and impressive piano work are simply delightful, specially when blended with classical guitar, reminds me a bit of some of the best “VANGELIS” works but without the New Age component. Very dramatic and obscure with some electric guitar fugues that remind us that Progressive Rock without Rock is incomplete, excellent song.“Ritual Lunar (El Fraude)” is a strange song that starts with clear ALAN PARSONS PROJECT reminiscences, not my favorite track being that is a bit too poppy for my taste, but the constant changes and the excellent production manage to keep my interest. Not the best song but neither weak.The second trilogy starts with “Shakespeare (Ethical)”, more oriented towards Hard Rock, despite there are lyrics that can be understood, the vocals seem more like an extra instrument because the distortion gives this feeling, nice and different with interesting changes, aggressive and dark simultaneously.“Explore (Plan SEA)” starts with a piano introduction that leads to one of the most beautiful melodies I ever heard, melancholic and dramatic, reminds me a bit of “Felona e Sorona” by LE ORME because of the sad atmosphere, simply delightful.“Implacable Kronos” starts faster with a very good guitar, percussion and keyboard interplay, less Symphonic and more Electronic than the previous, this intro is followed by percussion and vocals based melody clearly reminiscent of ALAN PARSONS PROJECT, “I Robot”. In this track Ada Guitart adds some weird vocals in English, with evident accent but very listenable.“Asoma (SErA)” starts again with a blues based intro, not very complex development, until more or less 1:30 minutes when a typical 80’s synthesizer is added, then some sound effects and the guitar continues in the Blues mood with chorals. Nice tune, but not in the level of the previous.“Heart Place” is the first ballad in the album with a very nice acoustic guitar and keyboards intro, a dark mysterious voice a bit distorted adds more dramatics, somehow in the mood of Russia or Eastern Europe Folk. The song continues in a more calmed but mysterious mood, really good stuff.“Mission Recordada” is the last track of the second trilogy and it’s extremely good, there’s a fusion of almost everything, from Symphonic to electronic and Rock with classical guitar, trying to describe it futile, because there are very few references to something like this, maybe MIKE OLDFIELD in “Tubular Bells Part I” because the structure is also consisting of variations over one theme that goes “in crescendo” until the end when the dark soft sound returns, 10 minutes of pure Prog.The album is closed by “VESENEVI” which acts as a epilog for the album, this rime recorded in an almost religious Baroque mood, and a weird finale.It’s interesting how the author has added the tempo to the name of each track, which is useful as an indication to what you can expect. Very careful production and incredibly clear sound, makes the listening experience much more pleasant.Not a masterpiece, but close to this status, so I will rate “Sinkronos” with 4 solid stars, because despite some weaker moments, the band never loses the interest of the listener, and the strong moments are outstanding.